Author: Fiona Craig

James Latham PLC (LSE:LTHM) has reported consistent trading results for the year ending 31 March 2025, navigating a challenging market landscape and heightened competition. Revenue edged up slightly to £366.6 million, while profit before tax declined to £24.3 million, impacted by a strategic shift toward lower-margin products and a one-off pension-related expense.

The company is advancing key strategic initiatives, including plans for a potential National Distribution Centre aimed at strengthening its supply chain capabilities and securing its position as a market leader. Reflecting confidence in future prospects, the final dividend was raised to 27.3p per share. Nonetheless, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and volatile container shipping costs remain risks to watch.

James Latham’s outlook benefits from solid financial footing and attractive valuation metrics, highlighted by a low price-to-earnings ratio and a robust dividend yield. Although technical signals hint at a possible bearish trend, the company’s financial resilience and recent corporate developments underpin investor confidence. Areas requiring attention include the slowdown in free cash flow growth and the need to accelerate revenue expansion.

About James Latham PLC

James Latham PLC operates in the timber and panel products sector, supplying a broad portfolio of high-quality wood-based materials. Serving customers across the UK and Ireland, the company prioritizes product diversification and enhanced service delivery to strengthen its competitive edge.

Time Finance plc (LSE:TIME) has reported its strongest financial performance to date for the year ending 31 May 2025, delivering record-breaking revenue and profitability that exceeded market forecasts. The company’s ongoing emphasis on own-book and secured lending—particularly through Asset Finance and Invoice Finance—has fueled consistent growth, with its lending portfolio expanding for the 16th consecutive quarter.

Looking ahead, Time Finance is entering a new three-year growth phase aimed at building long-term shareholder value. The company’s performance reflects the strength of its core strategy, focused on supporting UK SMEs with tailored financial solutions across varying market conditions.

The company maintains a positive investment outlook, bolstered by strong revenue growth, steady margins, and supportive technical indicators. While cash flow management presents some ongoing challenges, Time Finance’s valuation remains attractive, enhancing its appeal to long-term investors. Positive corporate developments continue to strengthen market confidence and stakeholder engagement.

About Time Finance plc

Time Finance plc is a UK-based independent finance provider specializing in delivering flexible funding solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises. With a primary focus on Asset Finance and Invoice Finance, the company also offers a multi-product approach, allowing it to broker transactions when needed to adapt to changing market environments. Its mission is to help UK businesses grow by offering accessible and reliable financial support.

Roadside Real Estate PLC (LSE:ROAD) has entered into a £48 million put-option agreement with CGV Ventures 1 Ltd, granting the company the right to divest its remaining 48.2% stake in Cambridge Sleep Sciences Ltd. This strategic agreement is designed to strengthen Roadside’s balance sheet and provide critical funding for its transition into a scalable, high-growth operational real estate platform.

The anticipated proceeds from the sale will support Roadside’s focus on developing and acquiring quality roadside property assets, a sector with increasing investor interest due to its resilience and revenue-generation potential.

While the company faces challenges related to its financial performance and limited transparency in valuation metrics, recent corporate actions have created positive momentum. Technical indicators point to growing market confidence, despite underlying concerns about the company’s overall financial health.

About Roadside Real Estate PLC

Formerly known as The Barkby Group, Roadside Real Estate PLC specializes in the acquisition, development, and operation of roadside commercial properties. The company aims to evolve into a high-growth platform by targeting well-located, income-generating assets that support long-term value creation in the real estate sector.

Intrepid Bidco Limited, supported by private equity firm HGGC, LLC, has announced a recommended all-cash acquisition offer for Inspired PLC (LSE:INSE), valuing the company at approximately £183.6 million. The proposed purchase price of 81 pence per share marks a substantial premium over previous bids and the company’s recent trading levels, signaling strong confidence in Inspired’s growth prospects within the evolving energy and sustainability services market.

The transaction is backed by Rothschild & Co., confirming the financial security of the offer. If completed, the acquisition is expected to enhance Inspired’s market standing and accelerate its strategic development under new ownership.

Inspired PLC has demonstrated solid financial fundamentals, including improved profitability and enhanced cash flow management, though revenue growth remains an area for attention. The company’s current momentum, combined with favorable valuation metrics, positions it as an attractive investment—particularly amid recent corporate activity indicating a possible strategic transformation.

About Inspired PLC

Inspired is a UK-based provider of energy and sustainability solutions, delivering a comprehensive range of procurement, consultancy, and technology-driven services. Its offerings are tailored for industrial and commercial clients seeking efficiency, compliance, and cost savings in an increasingly complex energy landscape.

Inchcape PLC (LSE:INCH) has reported a robust first-half performance for 2025, maintaining strong operational momentum amid mixed market conditions and ongoing currency pressures. The global automotive distributor secured nine new distribution agreements during the period, reinforcing its strategic focus on disciplined inventory control, cost efficiency, and targeted capital deployment.

The company reaffirmed its full-year growth expectations, projecting higher earnings per share, supported by continued profit growth and a substantial share repurchase initiative. To date, £150 million of its £250 million buyback program has been completed. This proactive capital management approach underscores Inchcape’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

Inchcape’s latest results reflect its resilience and adaptability within the dynamic automotive distribution sector, showcasing its capacity to deliver consistent value despite macroeconomic headwinds.

With favorable technical indicators, attractive valuation metrics, and investor-friendly initiatives such as the share buyback, the company’s stock maintains a strong outlook—outweighing short-term financial performance fluctuations.

About Inchcape PLC

Headquartered in London, Inchcape is a global leader in automotive distribution, operating across six continents. The company specializes in managing complex, high-potential markets with low levels of vehicle penetration. Leveraging local market expertise, proprietary technology platforms, and data-driven insights, Inchcape provides comprehensive services ranging from product planning and pricing to logistics, marketing, sales, and aftercare. With a global workforce of over 17,000 employees, Inchcape enables sustainable growth and innovation for leading mobility brands worldwide.

Manolete Partners Plc (LSE:MANO) has reported record-breaking revenue of £30.5 million for the fiscal year ending March 2025, reflecting a 16% year-over-year increase. The surge in revenue was accompanied by strong improvements in profitability and cash flow, underpinned by a record volume of new case referrals and a notable rise in average case values.

Amid sustained high levels of corporate insolvency across the UK, Manolete remains well-positioned to capitalize on growing demand within the insolvency litigation funding space. To support its ongoing expansion, the company secured a new revolving credit facility with HSBC UK Bank Plc, a move that reinforces investor and lender confidence in its strategic direction.

Despite its solid financial performance, the board has opted to retain capital by withholding a dividend payout this year, focusing instead on debt reduction and future investment opportunities.

While Manolete benefits from a robust balance sheet and positive operational momentum, the company continues to face headwinds, including cautious cash flow management and high valuation metrics. Market sentiment remains mixed, with technical indicators showing a bearish trend.

About Manolete Partners Plc

Manolete Partners Plc is a UK-based leader in insolvency litigation financing. The company specializes in funding legal claims arising from corporate insolvencies, working through an extensive proprietary referral network. Its business model is designed to deliver returns through efficient case resolution and strategic capital deployment.

GCM Resources plc (LSE:GCM) has issued an update regarding Polo Resources Limited, a major shareholder, which has been dissolved following the resignation of its agent in the British Virgin Islands. Efforts are currently underway to reinstate Polo Resources as a registered entity, although the timeline and outcome remain uncertain.

Despite the dissolution, GCM confirmed that its financial agreements with Polo Resources, including a £3.5 million loan facility, remain intact and unaffected. Additionally, Polo Investments—another entity holding a substantial stake in GCM—continues to operate independently and is not impacted by the changes affecting Polo Resources Limited.

About GCM Resources plc

GCM Resources is a UK-based mining and energy development company listed on the AIM market. The company is focused on the Phulbari Coal and Power Project in north-west Bangladesh, where it has identified a substantial thermal coal resource totaling 572 million tonnes. GCM is working to support Bangladesh’s energy needs by supplying coal for power generation, aiming to forge strategic alliances that deliver affordable electricity solutions.

Rockfire Resources PLC (LSE:ROCK) has completed a detailed 3D lithofacies model for its Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece, marking a significant step in refining exploration strategies and potentially enlarging the existing resource. This updated geological model is expected to enhance drill targeting and guide future development phases.

The company is now progressing with metallurgical sampling and preparing for additional drilling to improve the confidence level of its resource estimates. Rockfire aims to establish Molaoi as a standout zinc project within Europe, particularly due to its potential for germanium recovery as a valuable by-product.

About Rockfire Resources PLC

Rockfire Resources is a mineral exploration company engaged in the search for base metals, critical minerals, and precious metals. Its flagship asset, the Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece, focuses on the extraction of zinc, lead, silver, and germanium, aligning with the company’s strategic push into high-demand critical minerals.

Petro Matad Limited (LSE:MATD) has released its 2024 financial and operational results, spotlighting a year of key milestones, including the commencement of oil production from the Heron-1 well. This achievement positions Petro Matad as Mongolia’s third active oil producer. While operations at the Heron-2 well faced setbacks, the company is undertaking further assessments to determine the best path forward for development.

In addition to progress on the oil front, Petro Matad has expanded into renewable energy through its joint venture, Sunsteppe Renewable Energy. The venture focuses on supporting Mongolia’s energy independence while also exploring potential electricity exports to China.

The company signed an oil sales agreement with PetroChina and received its initial payment in June 2025, marking a significant step in its commercial journey. Meanwhile, efforts continue to enhance the overall business environment and attract potential farm-in partners, all aimed at maximizing long-term shareholder value.

About Petro Matad Limited

Petro Matad is an energy company operating in Mongolia, with a primary focus on oil exploration, development, and production. It holds full ownership of the Matad Block XX and Borzon Block VII Production Sharing Contracts. The company is also diversifying into clean energy through Sunsteppe Renewable Energy, advancing projects in solar and sustainable power.

Panther Metals Plc (LSE:PALM) has announced an insider share purchase that signals growing confidence in its future outlook. Kerry Hazelwood, who has close ties to CEO Darren Hazelwood, acquired 21,068 ordinary shares, raising their total holding to 276,457 shares—representing approximately 4.85% of Panther’s issued share capital. The move underscores internal belief in the company’s strategic direction, particularly with regard to its flagship Winston Project.

Located in Ontario, Canada, the Winston Project is showing strong economic promise, boasting a pre-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of C$175.8 million and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 26%. The project benefits from solid backing by both institutional investors and government stakeholders, alongside substantial exploration upside. These factors position Panther Metals as a strong contender in the growing critical minerals sector.

About Panther Metals Plc

Panther Metals Plc is a resource exploration company focused on discovering and developing mineral assets across Canada. Its primary activities involve exploring polymetallic resources, including zinc, copper, and precious metals. The company’s current strategic emphasis is on the Winston Project, which is viewed as a key driver of long-term value.